A Real Life "Tom Clancy Hero"

Robert Micheal Gates

What a coincidence.  This past Saturday I finished reading Tom Clancy's latest book "Dead or Alive".  The next day our military special operations and intelligence agencies assassinated Osama bin Laden.  If you don't know the coincidence I'm talking about, read Mr. Clancy's book. 

We owe many people a debt of gratitude for eliminating Osama bin Laden.  The CIA was the lead agency in finding and tracking him down.  Navy Seals, Army Rangers and other special operations personnel were the doers on the ground in Sunday's operation.  President Obama made a courageous decision in authorizing the operation.  But perhaps those that remain in the background or off to the side sometimes have the greatest impact on an operation of this nature.

Robert Gates was in the CIA for over 25 years and was the only career officer in the CIA's history (as of 2005) to rise from entry-level employee to Director of Central Intelligence.  He was appointed Secretary of Defense in 2006 by President George W. Bush and is the only Secretary of Defense to serve under two Presidents of different parties.

I've always wondered why President Obama kept Mr.Gates on as Secretary of Defense after the Bush administration?  I wonder if it had anything to do with tracking down Osama bin Laden?

I wonder if Robert Gates has ever met Tom Clancy?

Robert Michael Gates is retiring next month. 

Thank you for protecting our country, sir.

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